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Thank you for making light at the end of the tunnel!

I wanted to send out a thank you to all of you that responded to me in regards to my frustration about having a Green pool after an SWG install.
I am happy to inform you guy's that I have new found confidence thanks to all of you that I can handle the issue. I've got the test kit from Dave S. (thank you Dave for your incredible assistance)...and added clorox (lots of it) a few minutes ago!
I will post a new picture of the pool once I have achieved "clean, clear and blue" results
Again thanks!
This site is a pool saver...or better said "nerve" saver....TFP is a frustration eliminator
Happy Pool Season to all of you
Cheerio!!!!

Re: Thank you for making light at the end of the tunnel!

Congratulations! You are another testament to what one can do when armed with a good test kit and a good understanding about what is happening in your pool. The majority of the members here began the same way. Feels good doesn't it?

Re: Thank you for making light at the end of the tunnel!

Yeah, I can't even describe the feeling of "liberation" I feel....like I noted in my signature..."I control my pool and not the other way around"....if would you have asked me a few days ago, I would have told you that I will fill it in with concrete...lol

It's another day, I feel a bit smarter (about pools that is) and I can sleep well tonight knowing that the clorox is magically making the algea go bye-bye!

BTW: husband tried to nag again today, about the pool, and I was tempted to just kick him in the pool and let the algea eat him but even the algea didn't want to deal with him...lol...!!

Re: Thank you for making light at the end of the tunnel!

LMAO - I'm glad to see that you guy' share my sense of humor about my hubby jokes....he's really not that bad - but he sure can nag like a little old lady...

Thus far I am at 8 jugs of bleach.....going to add some more in a few minutes!
Been draining water, adding fresh so I can get the pesky CYA down...(uh, listen to me I sound chem educated)...this is becoming regular fun for me now...thanks guys for being so responsive and for sharing my sense of humor.

Re: Thank you for making light at the end of the tunnel!

Hi All!

Here is the continuance of my SWG algea-fighting story ...
CYA tested: way above 100 estimated at about 150 -bummer
Mon: Bleach-time = added 5 jugs around noon time, then 3 additional ones around 7isch pm
Tues: Added 2 jugs 9:30 am, added additional 5 jugs at 11:30 (had to go to store to get more...lol)
Also tested CYA: close to 100 now, like a 110 (so draining some of the water has helped but I sure have some ways to go)

The new test kit I got makes me feel like I am a super pro! It's like a chem set you got for xmas when you were a kid
I know I shouldn't be playing with it but I am tempted to do every test under the sun

OK, so I have a few more questions?
(1) What is the flakey white stuff floading on top of my pool? It happened right after I added the bleach yesterday and put in the hose for fresh water (I had previously, like the beginning of last week, added some Algacide 30%-about 30-40 ounces)
(2) Is the way I am draining the pool sporadically going to help the CYA? Meaning, I've been backwashing, then I vaccum to waste (drops the pool by about 5 inches) then I refill so the water does not drop below the skimmers.
(3) The fiberglass stairs have begun to slightly stain again, it's a soft yellow, should I get stain free by Natural Chemistry or should I wait it out until I am done with the Algea killing?

Re: Thank you for making light at the end of the tunnel!

Originally Posted by NCSalt

Hi All!
(1) What is the flakey white stuff floading on top of my pool? It happened right after I added the bleach yesterday and put in the hose for fresh water (I had previously, like the beginning of last week, added some Algacide 30%-about 30-40 ounces)
(2) Is the way I am draining the pool sporadically going to help the CYA? Meaning, I've been backwashing, then I vaccum to waste (drops the pool by about 5 inches) then I refill so the water does not drop below the skimmers.

Everytime you backwash the filter, drop the water level, and add water it's going to dilute the CYA in the water. It's just not going to drop it fast and that means that you must maintain a higher chlorine level.

How hard is your water? -I live in Oak Ridge and mine is HARD, to the point that I only use powdered shock (which contains calcium too) in an emergency, which I haven't had in 2 years .

Exactly what Algacide did you put in ?

What's your SWG set to? Right now let the bleach (plain 6%, nothing else right?) do the job. If you keep your SWG running at a high level make sure that you keep the PH and TA under control.

It takes POP to not want it "fixed right now" so I use my energy to brush away. I shut my SWG to 10% during the pool startup: I figure it's not needed and the water is too cold to effectively use it anyway.

Re: Thank you for making light at the end of the tunnel!

Originally Posted by NCSalt

the green monster

-> CC = 55ppm?? What test did you use?
-You can dilute the pool water 50/50 with distilled water and test to see what the CL is (x2). It won't be exact but will put you in the ballpark. 55 seems extreme, even to me!
-> Exactly what Algacide did you put in ?

Remember that high chlorine readings will also give you false high PH readings. Use the calculator to get yourself in the ballpark and then fine tune it when the "green gunk" has been wiped out. You need to get your PH and TA down anyway. Drop the PH and TA with acid and aerorate to bring the PH back up .
-Are you still running the filter 24x7 and brushing ?

I was buying muratic @Lowes last year and if my memory is correct was paying $8-$9 per gal. I stopped by Home Depot Monday night and they had a "2-gal" pack for $10. I've found that muratic is just as easy to work with, I just keep my eyes covered with safety glasses and keep my nose away from it! With a SWG the PH will rise anyway so I'll use it this summer... I've been thinking about adding borates as well which will require more acid.

Re: Thank you for making light at the end of the tunnel!

Originally Posted by fuzzy_dba

Originally Posted by NCSalt

the green monster

-> CC = 55ppm?? What test did you use?
-You can dilute the pool water 50/50 with distilled water and test to see what the CL is (x2). It won't be exact but will put you in the ballpark. 55 seems extreme, even to me!
-> Exactly what Algacide did you put in ?

The Algecide was Aqua Chem Algaecide 20% (concentrated formula)

CC was a typo, I did the Chlorine drop test with the kit I just got....maybe i need to redo it....if 55 really does seem to high!

I just vaccumed to waster again, and will add more bleach before I have to take off for the rest of the day!
This story will continue tomorrow!
Thanks for your help!
Cheerio!

Re: Thank you for making light at the end of the tunnel!

Hey, NC,

Ph = 8.2 or even higher....(added powdered acid bc I had nothing else and thought I need to get it down asap)
CL (when testing with the blue test kit, the cl/ph kit, turned orange) = guess it's of the charts

Do not add any more acid. Very high FC levels (which you have) will make the pH reading completely unreliable.

Re: Thank you for making light at the end of the tunnel!

Duraleigh:
HOW much powdered acid did I add: A good beer size worth (that's german terms & size...lol), seriously I added about 20 ounces.....before, the blue test kit resulted in a 8.5 or higher reading of the PH.....darn it appears that I have a lot more to learn!

I have not re-tested as of yet, will do that in the am since I need to get going and take care of "my usual" life....the pool is taking over my live...lol